Page 56 of Endlessly Raphael
“Sometimes,” I repeat, scoffing. “We wouldn’t be who we are without you.”
“You’d be a lot more boring, for sure,” he says, chuckling.
“Hades forbid.”
“Seriously though,” Thorn continues. “I felt his fear and it was real and visceral. The uncle is trouble.”
“Yeah. I’ll keep Haven safe until I can figure out what Uncle Joe is up to.”
“I know you will.”
“I just hope I don’t have to kill someone in his family. Talk about awkward holidays.”
Thorn snorts a laugh. “Fuck yes. Raphael the brooding artist just told a joke.”
Smiling, I shift my gaze out the window. Let’s just hope his father is the good man I believe him to be underneath whatever this bullshit brother stuff is. I don’t want to take him out, but I absolutely will if that’s what it takes to keep Haven safe and happy.
I can no longer ignore the tight, tugging feeling in my chest that I’m sure I haven’t felt before. The urge to protect Haven at all costs clogs my throat and seizes my thoughts. Closing my eyes for a second, I let the emotions swirl through me, and as they settle, the truth I’ve tried to deny or explain away is as clear as the daytime sky is blue.
There’s no doubt in my mind. Haven is my fated mate.
TWENTY
Haven
“You look so handsome.”
I turn to see Vivienne smiling behind me. She and Viper, Rapha’s sisters, have been helping me this morning. His family is a strange mix of people who don’t look a damn thing like each other, but if love is tangible, it can be felt all through this house and in everyone I interact with. I know they’re a chosen family, and what a cool concept. Imagine being with family because they want to be there, not just because they’re stuck with you.
Viper is fussing over a flower for my hair. I told her it wasn’t necessary, but she heard from Syn that Raphael’s favorite flower is a magnolia, so she made one from silk for me. The gesture tugs at the part of me that I’ve pushed down for years. Real love seems so out of reach I decided long ago to settle for hot sex and Mr. Right-For-Now. So why am I wishing this wedding was real and Raphael was Mr. Forever?
“Are you okay?” Vivienne asks.
“Mostly. I’m a little nervous that my family is gonna mess things up.”
“Don’t worry.” She puts her hands on my shoulders, squeezing gently. “No one can get past the Orpheus boys unless they want them to.”
“Right.” I slide my hands down my lapels. “Whose last name is Orpheus? I mean, the original one I guess.”
“Yves. Are you taking Raphael’s last name?”
“Uh, shoot. We didn’t even talk about it. Maybe because this isn’t legit, I should just stick with my name.”
Vivienne holds my gaze through the mirror’s reflection. “Are you religious, Haven?”
“Not at all.”
“So you wouldn’t be opposed to me and Viper doing a little energy work for you?”
I turn to face her. “What’s that?”
“It’ll help you relax and enjoy the moment.” She smiles. “All we really have is now. We create the future and the past is just a memory. We’d like to help.”
Viper nods happily. “We’d love to.”
“Sure. Why not?”
“Good. Come sit.”